"One weekend this summer can make a decade of difference," characterizes the spirit of the fifth annual National Assembly of Women Religious. The recent meeting was held at the University of San Francisco with the theme of: "Gospel Commitment, Focus on the 80s."

More than 800 women religious were in attendance and pledged themselves to take a hard look at the ethical issues confronting human society today.

Keynote speakers included Saul Mendlovitz, Rutgers professor of International Law and president of the Institute for World Order, who stressed the fact that people today must realize that home is the planet Earth. Emphasizing the urgent need for a global policy for peace and justice, he outlined imperatives demanding such a vision and suggested an agenda for the 80s.

Sister Margaret Farley, RSM, associate professor of ethics at Yale Divinity School stressed the need for commitment in our lives as a requirement of justice since justice trues commitment. Pointing out the dangers of over-commitment, Sister Margaret called for a Sabbath element in our works of mercy -- the need for contemplation.

During the convention, members met in smaller creative caucus groups to probe varied possibilities for women in ministry, alternatives to prisons, aliens without documents, global spirituality, resettlement of Vietnamese refugees, world hunger and others.

A panel on "Women in Solidarity," conducted by Sister Shawn Copeland, executive director of the National Black Sisters Conference; Sister Marlo Barron, representing Las Hermanas; Sister Juana Claire Jose, a Papago Indian; and Sister Reina Paz, a native of the Philippines, recommended that sisters look carefully at the values of minority cultures both to enrich their own lives and to change the unjust structures which oppress all.

At the final commitment liturgy on Sunday, celebrated by Father Reid Mayo, president of the National Federation of Priests' Councils, Sister Kathleen Keating, SSJ, was installed for a two-year term as chairperson.

Twenty-two women religious attended the convention representing the southeast region. Sister Kathleen Steinkamp, regional chairperson, attended from the Atlanta archdiocese.